Dessert shop to open in Delmar Loop

Posted on May 07, 2018

A San Diego-based dessert franchise is slated to open its first St. Louis location this summer.

The Baked Bear has leased 1,305 square feet at 6140 Delmar Blvd. in The Loop in University City, adjacent to Pi Pizzeria. Tim McFarland of Sansone Group represented the franchisee, Stephen Lemley, in the deal. Lovely Properties LLC is the lessor.

The Baked Bear sells custom, over-sized ice cream sandwiches made with homemade cookies. It has about two dozen locations, mostly in the western U.S. The Delmar Loop location marks The Baked Bear's first shop in the Midwest.

Entry into the brand ranges from $161,389 to $608,000, and franchisees are required to have minimum liquid capital of $200,000. The Baked Bear charges a $28,000 franchisee fee and a 6 percent royalty fee, according to its website.

The average lease rate for retail space in mid-St. Louis County is $17.35 per square foot, according to Cushman & Wakefield research.